The Bridge is up for grabs
GENOA, Ark.—The 2017 Battle of the Bridge will be decided in the trenches.
Fouke (3-4, 0-4) travel across the bridge to take on Genoa Central (2-5, 1-3) for a Conference 6-3A win and bragging rights for 365 days.
“It's always been a big rivalry game,” Fouke head football coach Rick Barker said. “This game has been going on since both schools played football. Kids on both teams know each other and will play hard. You can throw the records out the window in a game like this.”
The Panthers have a dominating rushing duo in seniors Charley Baker and Jarret Easley.
Baker has 307 yards on 42 totes and five scores.
Easley has 713 yards on 90 carries and 12 touchdowns.
“We've been bit with the turnover bug this year in a few games this year,” Genoa Central head football coach Phillip Binkley. “We've shot ourselves in the foot but we also have a few games where we played really well. If we can minimize mistakes and play a good game; that'll give us a chance.”
Senior Bo Jewell leads the Dragons under center, completing 17 passes on 49 attempts for 299 yards a score.
Jewell has also rushed 75 times for 489 yards and five touchdowns.
Dragon senior Kole Allen leads the GC ground attack with 585 yards on 110 carries for three scores.
“With us and Fouke, our seasons are somewhat similar,” Binkley said. “We both graduated a ton of seniors and are having to play our young guys. Both teams are inexperienced, so it should be a good game. It usually always is.”
Last year, the Panthers defeated the Dragons at home, 14-0.
“The atmosphere last year was pretty crazy, it was like a playoff game,” Binkley said. “We had a few opportunities we missed, that we hope to correct this year. This is a big game for our two towns.”
Fouke's defense has given up 204 points this season, while the Dragons have given up 262 points.
The Panthers lead the series 7-0.
“We can't get caught up in all the hype. Fouke has never lost to Genoa Central and I'm sure my seniors don't want this year to be the year.”
Southwest Arkansas Schedule
Camden Fairview at Hope Hot Springs Lakeside at De Queen Magnolia at Watson Chapel Mena at Nashville Ashdown at Arkadelphia Prescott at Benton Harmony Grove Horatio at Jessieville Fouke at Genoa Central Murfreesboro at Spring Hill Mineral Springs at Foreman Mount Ida at Dierks Mountain Pine at Lafayette County All kickoffs begin at 7 p.m.